John Gawlak
April 29, 1925 — June 6, 2021
John P. Gawlak, 96, a longtime resident of Stamford, died on Sunday, June 6, 2021 surrounded by his loving family at The Residence at Summer Street, Stamford. He was born on April 29, 1925 in Middletown, CT to the late Frank and Mary Kurc Gawlak.
He was the youngest of five brothers who served in World War II, seeing duty with the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific abroad the U.S.S. Whitney from 1943-1946. His ship was sighted with a letter of commendation, by Admiral “Bull” Halsey, Commander of the 7th Fleet. He attended Middletown schools, and was a graduate of the University of Florida with a BS in Physical Education.
He retired from the Stamford YMCA in 1986, serving as Director of Fitness for 32 years. He was an outstanding softball player in Middletown, a gifted volleyball player with the YMCA varsity championship teams, and played semi-pro football.
He was associated with many sports organizations. He was honored by the Stamford Old Timers Athletic Association in 1989. He was a charter member of the Middletown and Portland Sports Halls of Fame, and was chairman of the South End Old Timers Athletic Association in Middletown. He served on the Board of Directors of the Holy Name Athletic Club of Stamford, and was a former president of the Douglas C. Northrop Little League. He was a long time baseball and softball umpire. He served as vice-president of the Connecticut Federation of Volleyball Officials, and was chairman of its sportsmanship award committee. He was a longtime member of the Stamford Lions Club and life member of the Sampson World War II Veterans Association. He was also a qualified swim meet referee and diving judge.
He was appointed to the Governor’s Committee on Physical Fitness by Gov. Ella Grasso in 1976. He served for 20 years, 5 as chairman. He also served on the board of directors of the Connecticut Senior Olympic Committee. He was also an active parishioner of St. Maurice RC Church, serving as president of the Parish Council, chairman of its Social Concerns committee, and assisted in administering the children’s religious education program.
He was also an avid fisherman and gardener, ardent supporter of UCONN athletics. In his retirement years, he assisted the Polish National Youth Baseball Foundation to develop Little League Baseball for boys, and softball for girls in Poland. He also supplied Indian Mission Schools in Arizona, New Mexico, So. Dakota, Montana and the Sioux Indian YMCA in Dupree, So. Dakota with used athletic equipment, he solicited from many local and private area high schools. He also wrote 4 published books, memoirs, including letters to the editor.
He is survived by his wife of almost 65 years, Carol (Stanley) Gawlak, his three sons, Peter J. Gawlak of New Milford, Thomas S. Gawlak of New Hampshire, Charles A. Gawlak of Stamford, his daughter, Catharine G. Paradiso of New Milford, as well as 12 grandchildren and 7 great granddaughters.
Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his 5 brothers, Walter, Joseph, Peter, Paul and Stanley and 2 sisters, Anne Schultz and Helen Smazer, all of Middletown.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, June 10, 2021 at St Maurice RC Church, 358 Glenbrook Road, Stamford at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at Queen of Peace Cemetery, Rockrimmon Road, Stamford will full military honors. There will be no calling hours.
The Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home is honored to assist the family with the arrangements.
To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com
He was the youngest of five brothers who served in World War II, seeing duty with the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific abroad the U.S.S. Whitney from 1943-1946. His ship was sighted with a letter of commendation, by Admiral “Bull” Halsey, Commander of the 7th Fleet. He attended Middletown schools, and was a graduate of the University of Florida with a BS in Physical Education.
He retired from the Stamford YMCA in 1986, serving as Director of Fitness for 32 years. He was an outstanding softball player in Middletown, a gifted volleyball player with the YMCA varsity championship teams, and played semi-pro football.
He was associated with many sports organizations. He was honored by the Stamford Old Timers Athletic Association in 1989. He was a charter member of the Middletown and Portland Sports Halls of Fame, and was chairman of the South End Old Timers Athletic Association in Middletown. He served on the Board of Directors of the Holy Name Athletic Club of Stamford, and was a former president of the Douglas C. Northrop Little League. He was a long time baseball and softball umpire. He served as vice-president of the Connecticut Federation of Volleyball Officials, and was chairman of its sportsmanship award committee. He was a longtime member of the Stamford Lions Club and life member of the Sampson World War II Veterans Association. He was also a qualified swim meet referee and diving judge.
He was appointed to the Governor’s Committee on Physical Fitness by Gov. Ella Grasso in 1976. He served for 20 years, 5 as chairman. He also served on the board of directors of the Connecticut Senior Olympic Committee. He was also an active parishioner of St. Maurice RC Church, serving as president of the Parish Council, chairman of its Social Concerns committee, and assisted in administering the children’s religious education program.
He was also an avid fisherman and gardener, ardent supporter of UCONN athletics. In his retirement years, he assisted the Polish National Youth Baseball Foundation to develop Little League Baseball for boys, and softball for girls in Poland. He also supplied Indian Mission Schools in Arizona, New Mexico, So. Dakota, Montana and the Sioux Indian YMCA in Dupree, So. Dakota with used athletic equipment, he solicited from many local and private area high schools. He also wrote 4 published books, memoirs, including letters to the editor.
He is survived by his wife of almost 65 years, Carol (Stanley) Gawlak, his three sons, Peter J. Gawlak of New Milford, Thomas S. Gawlak of New Hampshire, Charles A. Gawlak of Stamford, his daughter, Catharine G. Paradiso of New Milford, as well as 12 grandchildren and 7 great granddaughters.
Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his 5 brothers, Walter, Joseph, Peter, Paul and Stanley and 2 sisters, Anne Schultz and Helen Smazer, all of Middletown.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, June 10, 2021 at St Maurice RC Church, 358 Glenbrook Road, Stamford at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at Queen of Peace Cemetery, Rockrimmon Road, Stamford will full military honors. There will be no calling hours.
The Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home is honored to assist the family with the arrangements.
To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com
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